The internet is an amazing thing; it can also bring your laptop or PC to a crashing halt. These days, we’re vulnerable to countless viruses and bugs that can destroy everything our computers hold. Exercise safety with these three tips for secure emailing activity!

3 Best Rules for Safer Emailing

Take Caution with Attachments

This applies to both sending and receiving. Even if you can trust the sender who attached a document to the email they sent you, they may have unknowingly transferred a bug. Worse yet, they may have been hacked, and it wasn’t actually your friend/coworker at all. It never hurts to contact the sender again to clarify who sent it and what they sent.

You need to exercise caution when you’re sending attachments, as well. Some people flat out say that they won’t open attachments. Maybe they prefer that you paste the document in the body of the email; or perhaps you send them a link to where they can view the document online. Make sure you’re following that person’s wishes. If you do use an attachment, clarify in the email how many documents you sent and what they are. Also be sure to name the documents appropriately when you save them; use a specific name, date, etc.

Don’t Give It All Away Too Soon

There are many scenarios that will ask you to send personal information by email. For example, you might be required to submit a W9 as part of your new hire paperwork. In this case, we’re talking about putting your social security number into your computer, and there’s no telling if it might end up in the wrong hands.

As discussed before, firstly make sure that you know the recipient. Are you replying to a general HR email address? A personal email address? Be certain of who the recipient is, exactly.

Obviously, you’ll also want to see if you have other options regarding how to turn in this information. Turning it in yourself (in person) is of course a safer alternative. If your only option is to do so electronically, take caution that you’re submitting it over a secure connection.

Beware of Hyperlinks!

Hyperlinks are common in spam mail that’s meant to scam the innocent recipient. You might see something like, “If you want to know more, click HERE!” with “here” being some mysterious site that you’re being redirected to.

Of course, this isn’t always the case; but that hyperlink might just take you someplace you don’t want to go. If you want to be safe, right click on the hyperlink, copy the link address, and paste it into a Word document (or whatever program you use). That’ll reveal the actual URL without your having to visit it and open your computer up to potential danger.

Be sure to give people the same respect in return. Don’t leave them in the dark about where you’re trying to send them.

If you take these precautions and think before you click, odds are you’ll be okay. Take things slow, read emails carefully, and protect yourself and your internet buddies.